The flora and fauna of Podstrana

Once the southern part of the entire Mosor coastal slope was covered in

autochthonous forest of evergreen holm oak (Quercus ilex). This forest was cut down

due to the expansion of arable land, hence today these mountain slopes and plateaus

are overgrown with Mediterranean vegetation featuring plant species that adjusted

to the newly-created habitats that are mainly located within the underbrush and

karst meadows.

Among the species that form the vegetation of Perun karst areas, the most

recognisable are aromatic semi-shrub and shrub species from labiates (Lamiaceae):

sage (Salvia officinalis), winter savory (Satureja montana), mountain germander

(Teucrium montanum) and thyme (Thymus serpyllum), as well immortelle

(Helychrisum italicum) and cistus (Cistus). Many of these aromatic plant species are

also today used in medicine production and as honey plants and herbs.

Flysch Perun slopes have been intensely forested with Alpine pine (Pinus

halepensis) which soon, thanks to its extreme adaptability and fast growth, became

one of the most numerous wild trees, especially covering the lower parts of the

Perun slopes. The maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), cypress (Cupressus sempervirens),

evergreen oak (Quercus ilex), downy oak (Quercus pubescens) and the European

nettle tree (Celtis australis) grow in higher areas and plateaus, and the Phillyrea

(Phillyrea media), mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus), South European flowering ash

(Fraxinus ornus) and laurel (Laurus nobilis) grow as high bushes or low trees.

Two shrub species are particularly distinguish themselves with their lush

appearance, thickness and visual appeal: Ephedra campylopoda which, with its

hanging dark green, leafless branches, decorated with red berry-like cones , covers

many rocks on Perun peak in spring , as well as Spanish broom (Spartium junceum),

whose branches are also leafless and dark green. This legume blooms in spring with

mildly scented yellow flowers, giving the entire landscape of Podstrana a recognisable

and particularly striking appearance during this time of the year.

The fauna on PEerun

Although the natural habitats are invaded by settlements and arable land and

do not offer optimal living conditions for wild animals, several mammals of different

feeding habits still live on the higher Perun areas: the beech marten (Martes foina),

the fox (Vulpes vulpes), the European badger (Meles meles), the European hare

(Lepus europaeus), the southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor), small

rodents – the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) and edible dormouse (Glis glis),

and a couple of bat species (Chyroptera).

The avifauna is richer in species. A couple of larger birds of prey nest on the hill

peaks: the migrant bird short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus) and resident birds

the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo). The

golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) can here only be seen in flight, searching for prey.

The following migrant birds land on Podstrana hill slopes for nesting: the hoopoe

(Upupa epops), the Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus), the tawny pipit (Anthus

campestris), the black-eared wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica) and many others, and

the following species use it as their habitat: the common blackbird (Turdus merula),

the blue rock thrush (Monticola solitarius) and the great tit (Parus major). The

common residents of the open field and terrain are the rock partridge (Alectoris

graecaand a couple of finch species (Fringilidae): the European goldfinch (Carduelis

carduelis), linnet (Acanthis cannabina), the European greenfinch (Carduelis chloris)

and the European serin (Serinus serinus). The black-headed bunting (Emberiza

melanocephala), whose males are known for their extraordinary beauty and

elegance, is a very picky bird that mainly nests on vines in vineyards.

The rather rich reptile fauna includes only one poisonous snake – the viper

(Vipera ammodytes), whose bite can be deadly, and a dozen of other species of non-

poisonous snakes and lizards (European legless, copperhead). The rare water habitats

are home to an endemic amphibian, a frog – the yellow-bellied Toad (Bombina

variegata kolombatovici).

The invertebrate fauna includes several recognisable species including

butterflies Pieridae, Nymphalidae, Satyridae and Lycaenidae, as well as some species

of springtails and spiders.